Pep Guardiola hands Rodri and Erling Haaland fitness updates ahead of Wolves clash | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of their Premier League meeting with Wolves at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues are in a rich vein of form in the league and recently secured their place in the FA Cup final courtesy of a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the semi-final at Wembley, with goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol.

Guardiola has seen Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and striker Erling Haaland return to full first-team training in recent weeks as Manchester City look to end the season on a high by securing a top five Premier League finish and winning an eighth FA Cup in the club’s history.

Speaking in a press conference on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Premier League meeting with Wolves, Guardiola provided an update on when City can expect to see Rodri and Erling Haaland return to action.

“We are really pleased that Rodri is back in the training sessions. The moment the physio and doctor says, ‘Rodri can start to play minutes’, and after that he will start to play minutes,” the 54-year-old said.

“But the doctors have to tell me (so). It was a difficult injury (ACL), seven to 11 months the doctors said, he feels really good every day making sessions and sessions, but we have to avoid making a step backwards or getting injured again.

“That’s why you have to be careful. The important (thing) is one training session, another one, and every time he feels better and better. And when the doctor says Rodri is stable and he can start to play, after that he is going to come back.” On Haaland, Guardiola said: “He’s getting better. I don’t think (he will be involved against Wolves).”

John Stones and Nathan Ake remain absent for the 2023 treble winners, reflecting what has been the underlying theme of Manchester City’s struggles this season, failing to keep key players fit and firing in several positions for much of the campaign.

Oscar Bobb’s season has been derailed with recurring fitness issues and the Norwegian suffered a hamstring setback in the days leading to Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park in April. Asked if his side are facing any fresh injury concerns ahead of Wolves, Guardiola said: “No, no news.”

It remains to be seen whether Bobb can recuperate in time to be involved in Manchester City’s run-in but regardless, Guardiola will be cautious in rushing the young attacker back to action to allow Bobb to rest and recover in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States between June and July.

Guardiola was further pressed on whether Rodri could feature for Manchester City in the remainder of the campaign. “I don’t know. I always say, the doctor will tell me. Gut feeling? I’m not a doctor,” the Catalan added.

“The most important thing is Wolves – and I have to select the best players to play against Wolves. And after we have a long week to prepare against Southampton. This is the only concern I have. When the doctor and physio says to me they can do it, I will start to think about it.”